Memories of Madeira

My husband is Portuguese. To be more specific, he is Madeiran. Madeira for those who don’t know is a tiny (very tiny) island off the coast of Portugal. Almost closer to Morocco. A few years ago I was lucky enough to visit the island to meet his dad. We had already been together for more than 5 years at the time but his dad was unwell and not able to visit in SA. I am so fortunate I was able to meet this incredible man. Sadly a year after our visit he passed on but I will always hold the time spent with him very dear.

Landing in Funchal, the capital, was nerve wrecking and I am not a nervous traveler or flyer. But here’s the thing, the runway is next to the island. You can read that again, yes it says NEXT TO. ON STILTS. Want to put a pilot to the test? Make him land there.

Oscars family home is in the village (town) of Calheta.

We borrowed his best mates car and I finally got to see where my in laws were born and where my now husband spent so much of his childhood.

So on this #ThrowBackThursday I am missing the things I saw, ate, drank and felt in this place.

I miss driving up the old cobblestone roads to my favourite little pub to have Cha de limao (lemon tea)

I miss eating steamed chest nuts with Oscars dad at their Kitchen table. He could still remember some Afrikaans and I like to think he enjoyed speaking it to me. He had a real sweet tooth.

I miss watching the sunset over the ocean views from the top veranda.

I miss the giant old vines and the sweet, sweet wine.

I miss feeding the chickens in the morning.

I miss the way the air smelt of bananas and sea-salt.

I miss how happy it made Oscar to be there.

*the photos are again unedited. Just as it was taken. The place is just that beautiful.